Boeing’s partnership with TEEM expands services for Oklahoma veterans

Photo Courtesy of TEEM 

Chamber member Boeing recently partnered with fellow Chamber member The Education and Employee Ministry (TEEM) to help Oklahoma veterans involved in the criminal justice system receive support assistance and hope through the Veterans Initiative program. 

Veterans Initiative helps veterans with housing, transportation, mental health services, substance abuse services, case management, and more. The Boeing grant allowed TEEM to expand their partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs and the OK Department of Corrections to focus on the specific obstacles faced by justice-involved veterans.  

Through this unique program for those who have served our country, TEEM provides specialized support by reconnecting participants with their earned benefits or, for incarcerated veterans, connecting benefits to dependents. The program works directly with correctional facilities to identify and assess the individual needs of each person seeking services. In addition to services provided by the VA, each participant has access to TEEM resources including education courses, legal services, case management, substance abuse, and mental health resources, direct aid, and employment support. 

“Just because life happened, just because you stumbled somewhere along the way, does not mean that you do not deserve to be honored along with every other veteran of the United States on your day,” said TEEM Executive Director, Kris Steele. 

Since 2020, Boeing has granted over $200,000 to TEEM in support of the Veterans Initiative. They recognize even though these individuals have made mistakes, their significant contributions to our country should not be forgotten. The Veterans Initiative gives people hope, access to new opportunities, and the ability to overcome some of the challenges they have faced through incarceration. 

“What my story really comes down to is, I was a very sick man. I drank every single day. I got into a lot of trouble, and I’m not proud of that,” said Don C., a beneficiary of the Veterans Initiative program. “I called TEEM and told them my situation. I had been sleeping in my car. Because of their intervention, I now live in a retirement center — the veterans program at TEEM helped me with my deposit, my utilities, and they put me in touch with Goodwill. Goodwill got me furniture, dishes, a brand-new coffee pot – I mean, you name it, I got it. I’m 57 days sober now, and I couldn’t ask for any better.” 

Interested in learning more about this program? Watch a video with additional details here. 

ABOUT BOEING 

Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners, defense, space and security systems, and service provider of aftermarket support. As America’s biggest manufacturing exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in more than 150 countries. Boeing products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training. 

ABOUT TEEM 

The Education and Employment Ministry is an interfaith, 501(c) 3, nonprofit organization that exists to break cycles of incarceration and poverty in Oklahoma. By providing education, social services, job training and ultimately, job placement services to individuals re-entering society, TEEM aims to reduce recidivism rates, strengthen families and increase public safety.  

TEEM takes a three-pronged approach to breaking cycles of incarceration and poverty in Oklahoma by providing its participants with education, social services and job placement assistance. We holistically prepare our participants for employment and successful reintegration by incorporating mentoring, character building, job and life skills training into our program. TEEM's courses are evidence-based and supported by thorough research. Because Oklahoma consistently ranks among the highest in the nation in male and female incarceration rates, TEEM is poised to make a lasting impact in the lives of many of the 8,400 Oklahomans who re-enter society after a period of incarceration each year.